Press Release: Traveling Exhibits July/August 2016

July 21 through August 7, 2016 the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum will host three traveling exhibits: Master Leatherworks from the private collection of Jim Linnell, Marketing Director at Tandy Leather, Ft. Worth, TX; Metal Sculptures by Deb Pearce, award winning metal artist of Spooner, WI; and the Kaleidoscope Quilts of Linda Long, hand-quilting artist from Brock, OK. These three artists will be available on Saturday, July 30 to meet with the public. Deb Pearce will also be available July 28 through August 2, 10am to 5pm by appointment. (The Museum is open Monday-Wednesday by appointment.)

Jim Linnell’s extensive leather collection reflects the history of leather work during the 20th Century and features items made for the stars as well as everyday folk. An award-winning Master Leatherworker and instructor himself, Jim’s passion for the art of leatherworking shows in this excellent collection! Jim’s first taste of stamping was a Tandy Leather wallet at age 8. Eventually this turned into his dream job, Director of Marketing at Tandy Leather. Almost single-handedly he has brought leather craft to many thousands of students, some now master artisans in their own right.

Deb Pearce is a different kind of sculptor as her medium is not malleable bronze but requires torches, grinders, hammers, tools of a welder. She worked alongside her father in his welding business from age 8. In 1983 she won the National 4-H Congress Overall Achievement Award. As an adult, she concentrated her efforts on building a successful Sign Business. In the summer of 2015 she found her art expanding and becoming something better than even she had dreamed. Although she had been away from shows or any sort of competitions for over 30 years, she entered into the Red Bluff Art Show in California taking home Best Overall Sculpture as well as the People’s Choice Awards! Her recent professional list of accomplishments is almost as impressive as are her unique sculptures. Deb will be at the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum July 28 through August 2, 2016 ONLY!

Linda Long has been quilting since the 1970s. As one of the few remaining quilters who works entirely by hand (no sewing machine is involved) she is truly a historical treasure! Her kaleidoscope quilts are original designs and Linda uses any scrap of fabric she can make fit! Some of her quilts have over 1,500 pieces in them. Each piece is hand cut for its fabric pattern to fit a specific spot. And each quilt may take up to 30 days to construct. She has lived in Brock, Oklahoma on and off since birth.

For further information, to request photos, to schedule a private showing or an interview, please contact geneautryoklahomamusem@ gmail.com.